IRANIAN REVOLUTION MONARCHY TO THEOCRACY, SHAH TO AYATOLLAH

IRAN 10% of world’s proven oil reserves10% of world’s proven oil reserves 16% of world’s natural gas reserves16% of world’s natural gas reserves Considerable quantities of low-grade uraniumConsiderable quantities of low-grade uranium

SHAH of IRAN Shah Reza Pahlavi [DAD] [rule ] Wanted to modernize IranWanted to modernize Iran –Build large scale industry –Roads/railroads –Public education –Improve health care –WANTS TO CREATE A MIDDLE CLASS **RENAMED PERSIA  IRAN [1935]

IMPERIALISM Define from video clip…Define from video clip… EX/ British own Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and control ALL Iran’s oil resourcesEX/ British own Anglo-Iranian Oil Company and control ALL Iran’s oil resources Reza Shah shuns British in favor of Germans [not popular in 1939]Reza Shah shuns British in favor of Germans [not popular in 1939]

SHAH OF IRAN II Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (1941 – 1980)Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (1941 – 1980) British and USSR replace Dad w/ SonBritish and USSR replace Dad w/ Son –Wants to continue Dad’s reforms –Fighting for control from Prime Minister

POWER Struggle PM Mohammad Mossadeq = nationalistPM Mohammad Mossadeq = nationalist Shah increasingly oppressive /manipulativeShah increasingly oppressive /manipulative Power struggle between Shah and Mossadeq and…Power struggle between Shah and Mossadeq and… 1951: Parliament votes to nationalize the oil industry1951: Parliament votes to nationalize the oil industry Britian ticked  !Britian ticked  ! Mossadeq stands up to Brits!!Mossadeq stands up to Brits!! Becomes anti-imperialist hero of developing worldBecomes anti-imperialist hero of developing world I’m no Commie!

COUP d’etat!!!!! 1953: Shah flees  Egypt1953: Shah flees  Egypt BUT………………BUT……………… Aug. 1953: Mossedeq is overthrown in joint CIA/British intelligence services…Aug. 1953: Mossedeq is overthrown in joint CIA/British intelligence services… SHAH RETURNS!SHAH RETURNS! I’m BACK!!!

LEADERSHIP STYLE ManipulationManipulation Built loyal armyBuilt loyal army Expansion of constitutional powersExpansion of constitutional powers –After assassination attemptin 1949 Secret police: “SAVAK”:Secret police: “SAVAK”: –Suppressed opponents Helped rich at expense of poorHelped rich at expense of poor

1963 WHITE REVOLUTION Reform policiesReform policies –Land reform Some land taken from religious leadersSome land taken from religious leaders = no income for them= no income for them –Voting rights to women –Elimination of illiteracy Generally positive impact [ on some]Generally positive impact [ on some] –Resented by religious leaders

Trouble Brewing… Growing opposition to Shah’s ruleGrowing opposition to Shah’s rule –Religious leaders feared loss of traditional authority –Intellectuals are seeking democratic reforms

“KING OF KINGS” Shah saw himself as heir to kings of ancient IranShah saw himself as heir to kings of ancient Iran 1967: Crowned himself Emperor [and his wife Empress]1967: Crowned himself Emperor [and his wife Empress]

COLD WAR Ally of the WestAlly of the West –a cozy and symbiotic relationship between the US and the Shah for a quarter of a century For the US, the relationship meant:For the US, the relationship meant:  Economically, the Shah maintained the interests of the US corporations, particularly the oil companies, aerospace industry, and financial institutions. This included recycling petro-dollars into purchasing military goods and Eurodollar deposits (by the mid 1970s, the Shah was the largest buyer of US military goods).

For the Shah, the relationship meant maintaining an absolute monarchy combined with a theater of the absurd.

For the Iranian populace, the relationship meant:  An uneven economic development, characterized by corruption, waste, skewed income distribution, and ultimately high rates of unemployment and inflation by the late 1970s.  A dictatorship characterized by: Lack of the most basic freedoms, including the freedom of expression, speech, and organization, The existence of massive secret police (SAVAK) trained and maintained mostly by the CIA & Israel Jails overflowing with political prisoners, Disappearances, torture, and executions.

Note that the US had no problem with the lack of basic human rights in Iran. Even as late as 1978, on the eve of the Iranian Revolution, President Carter, the champion of “human rights,” traveled to Iran and said: “Iran is an island of stability in one of the more troubled areas of the world. This is a great tribute to you, Your Majesty, and to your leadership and to the respect, admiration and love which your people give to you. There is no leader in the world for whom I feel such deep gratitude and personal friendship as the Shah.” The New York Times, January 1, 1978.

INCREASED DISCONTENT Shah’s policies alienate the Islamic clerics, esp. Ayatollah KhomeiniShah’s policies alienate the Islamic clerics, esp. Ayatollah Khomeini –built on popular discontent Demonstrations, riots, strikesDemonstrations, riots, strikes –Channeled discontent and ideas into Islamic principles –Called for overthrow of the Shah –Wanted absolute theocratic rule

REVOLUTION! 1978-’79 Widespread demonstrations

REVOLUTIONARY IMAGES

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1979: SHAH EXILED! [He said he was taking an 18 month leave of absence…][He said he was taking an 18 month leave of absence…] Ayatollah Khomeini returns & “cleans house”…Ayatollah Khomeini returns & “cleans house”… 1 February 1979: Iran proclaimed “The Islamic Republic of Iran”1 February 1979: Iran proclaimed “The Islamic Republic of Iran”

ISLAMIC REPUBLIC Or theocracyOr theocracy = gov’t which supports religion Led by Rouhollah Khomeini …….. Led by Rouhollah Khomeini ……..  –Muslim “Ayatollah” Based on Islamic fundamentalismBased on Islamic fundamentalism

Newspapers bannedNewspapers banned Religions suppressed [esp. against women]Religions suppressed [esp. against women] Delivered extremist and threatening speeches to US and alliesDelivered extremist and threatening speeches to US and allies ISLAMIC REPUBLIC

November 1979: Hostage Crisis ●Shah asks to be admitted to US for medical treatment ●Iranian fear he would use visit to get US to help him ● Hundreds of thousands demonstrate demanding the return of the Shah ● 4 November 1979: Students storm US Embassy in Tehran and taking 52 Americans hostage and demanded the return of the Shah to face trial in Iran